The Way Things Are

Huston Smith

Huston Smith offers in this film a uniquely personal perspective on his own spiritual journey through life. He speaks with passion and humor about his upbringing, the inspiring and colorful individuals he has known, and the wisdom he has gained from the different religious and philosophical traditions he has encountered.

Smith is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Syracuse University, and is considered the country's preeminent public scholar of world religions. He is the author of Religions of Man (1958), which was revised as The World's Religions in 1991, and of Why Religion Matters (2001).

In this video, Smith holds forth on the state of world religion and religious leadership, and the vital importance of the transcendent message of religion for the post 9/11 world. His view is that life is rich with purpose, value and transcendental meaning; that that's the way things are.

Completed:

2004

Running Time:

58 minutes

Producer:

Kathy Close

Editor:

Michael Gleaton

"My idea of heaven (here on earth) is sitting in a room and listening to Huston Smith talk (and sparkle and sing); the next best thing, surely, is having him here, passing on his contagious delight and excitement in the Real - in a voice of miraculous clarity and humanity."
- Pico Iyer, author of The Global Soul

"Huston Smith, in conversation, sometimes becomes as spontaneous and radiant as the ineffable beauty he talks about - wherever he is, a clean wind of truth blows through his presence."
- Coleman Barks, poet and translator of Rumi: The Book of Love

Price: $24.95

If you would like to explore films with similar themes, please click on Huston Smith, Multifaith or Spirituality.